For six years the world suffered the agonies of warfare. Every continent, every ocean was affected. Civilians were as involved just as much as the military as never before. The Allies fought a titanic struggle on many fronts - from the Western, Mediterranean and Eastern theatres of Europe to the island-hopping campaigns across the vast Pacific Ocean - as they battled to rid the world of cruelty wielded by the Fascists and the Japanese. New forms of warfare, new weapons, and new strategies and tactics, were employed. Technology strode hand in hand with the courage and resilience of the ordinary fighting man, and woman, in the most complex conflict the world has ever suffered. This book aims to explain the complexities with a clear account of the battles, while dramatic photographs depict the action and show the weapons and equipment. In addition, significant people and incidents are highlighted in special sidebar features.